Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi,
I am 28 and have suspected autism for some time. It was originally highlighted by someone else who spotted the signs.
I have always struggled immensely in social situations- I now avoid them altogether. So much so that for the past 6 years I have chosen jobs where I can work in solitude. I have no friends. It was 12-18 months before I first spoke to any other child at secondary school and that was only because they approached me. I was always called "weird" because all I did was read and talk about animals.
I excelled at school and I am very good at art. My special interests are animals, especially dogs, who I draw realistically.
Other people notice things about me that I do not. For example, I'm often described as cold and unaffectionate and don't make eye contact.
I took the 'autism test' and scored 39.
I summoned the courage, took the plunge and saw my GP today after reading on this main website that seeing a GP is the first step to diagnosis. I love organisation, planning and lists. I wrote down everything I thought was odd about me or possibly autism related to show him- it ended up being three pages long.
He told me that the fact I've decided to speak to a GP is not an autistic trait. He hasn't referred me and now I'm left feeling lost.
I'm not quite sure what to do now...
That's what I thought. That makes it a lose lose situation.
I may go down the private route.
I'm struggling at the moment. I have 2 birthday parties, a wedding and a social thing at school to deal with. It'd be nice to get the ball rolling with this ut I keep wondering if it's in my head and if I'm just weird :( but part of me suspects not and I'd like clarification.
The fact you decided to speak to a GP is not an autistic trait... what on earth?? That is as about as logical as the medieval witch trial, where if you float you are guilty/drown you are innocent.
I would change your GP, if you can. Younger ones might be more clued-up. And is there any way the other person who spotted the signs could come with you, or write something to back you up?
Some private psychologists do pre-assessment reports. The one I spoke to (who I found via Google) charged £50, which basically covered analysing results of the AQ and EQ and writing a report advising that the GP refers you for NHS assessment. Good luck!